The Valar, Maiar, and Ainur gathered and took their seats at the circle of Thrones in Valarinde. Manwë was the last to enter, his expession thoughtful and serious. Ulmo, Lord of the Sea, approached the throne where Manwë sat and bowed. "Hail Manwë, Lord of Arda. You have summoned, and thus have we come."
Manwë spoke, "Thank you. As I am sure we are all aware, there are some changes happening of late that concerns us, and I have brought us all here so that we may discuss the nature of them and what, if anything, we should do."
Nienna, ever compassionate, spoke. "We hear troubling news. Yavanna nodded in recognition of Manwë's words. Ulmo, too, nodded, looking about the gathering.
Tilion, Guardian of the Moon, spoke courteously to Lord Manwë. "Greetings, Greal Lord and King, Manwë Sulimo. Greetings, great Kings and Queen of the Valar. Greetings, my noble Maiar cousins. Greetings Ainur Spririts, Angelic beings, all." Ulmo looked and nodded in greeting to the guardian of the Moon. "Hail, Tilion, long has it been since we all have sat as one."
Manwë spoke. "I am sure we have all sensed the growing darkness upon the world, so that leaveus with the question of what to do."
Tilion answered: "Long has Melkor caused our world great harm, and I feel he and his dark servants again stir." Yavanna mutters beneath her breath. Ossë snapped forward, saying impatiently, "Yes yes, let's begin. None of us can spare the time to sit here introducing ourselves politely! We all know who we are!"
Nienna said, "We know something is wrong, but what, exactly?" Melian grimaced, remembering the wars with Melkor. Ulmo's brow furrowed and his face darkened at the mention of Melkor. He spoke, "Breath of Arda, is this why Alqualondë has been moved into the mortal realm?"
Manwë answerd, "Yes, Lord of the Waters, it was." Vána, younger sister of Yavanna, spoke. "Tell, what has been seen?" Melian, too, asked the Sea King.
Ulmo nodded at Melian and Vána. "A passage of a fortnight ago....Olwë of Alqualondë beseeched me while atop the sacred mountain. hed me while atop the sacred mountain. He begged that Alqualondë be removed back to the mortal world, to take on the task given him by Mighty Manwë and Lord Irmo. This I did grant, and Ossë did."
"To what purpose, Lord Ulmo," asked Tilion.
Nienna nodded as she listened. "Irmo, yes. I had hoped he would explain his plan. Surely Irmo had something in mind."
Melian spoke. "My father sleeps deeply still, I think."
Yavanna spoke again, "What difference will it make having Alqualondë in the mortal world? How can a mere elf make a difference?"
"Indeed," agreed Nienna.
But Ossë, ever temptuous, spoke. "A mere human woman made the difference! Slaying Sauron! Why can an elf not be just as important?" But Ulmo nodded in agreement with Yavanna. "My musing as well. What can one Teleri accomplish?" Yavanna shrugs her shoulders grumpily and shifts her aching bones to find a more comfortable position. She had been in the mortal world and still wore mortal rainment with it frailities, like a threadbare garment, not yet discarded. "Yes, that is true, Ossë."
Tilion spoke then. "Olwë is a mighty Elven king and much loved by his kin." Melian added, "The elves are a very clever species, and capable of far more than might be imagined." Aulë, the Maker and husband of Yavanna, laughed. " I though the purpose of the move was obvious, my kinfolk."
Nienna sat forward, however, "You say "one Teleri". What are these rumors that the other Teleri have vanished?"
Ossë barked. "Olwë need not act alone! But alone, he can accomplish at least as much as a lone woman!"
Ulmo turned to Aulë and spoke, "Please, enlighten us, Brother." Aulë answered thusly: "It is also the history and legends of Aman again made present in the world. In sending Alqualondë away from the Undying Lands, and into the mortal realms, we are each alone, us Valar and Maiar, given a place to manifest in the Mortal realms."
Ulmo turned to Yavanna, the giver of fruits. "Do you, again, go to the mortal realm and walk its lands?" She answered quickly, "Indeed I do Ulmo. The plight of those who live among my creations has touched me, so I have taken their form and lived their ways so I might better understand their situation." Ulmo nodded, head bowing a little. Linewa, a Wind of Manwë, leaned forward, listening intently.
Manwë asked Yavanna, " And what have you learned from them?"
But before she could answer, Aulë spoke. "Indeed, so instead of making our own presence a constant secret in the world, Alqualondë is a reminder that we and the One do exist and will protect them, even in times of darkness. Ulmo, you among us know this best. In the world we are all but forgotten legends."
Ossë snapped, waving his trident at Aulë "... it's not about a secret, Maker! Our very presence undermines their ability to act! We are not here to rescue them at any whim! We must help them help themselves!"
Ulmo turned to the Breath of Arda. "Does my Lord Manwë propose we walk among the mortals again?" Yavanna snorted loudly. "That protection has done them aught good through all the ages, husband. Melkor has still caused much trouble."
Ossë scoffed under his breath. ".. maybe you are, some of us are " Arien regarded the conversation hotly. "It is true what Aulë says...we are unknown to most elves who remain in middle earth."
Ulmo replied. "Only the Teleri sung songs of the seas...those who settled in middle earth long long ago, and their songs are now children's rhymes."
"I do not propose we walk among the mortals," spoke Manwë. "I am inclined to agree with the Lord of the Waves and say we are to give them a helpful nudge but not interfere directly."
Ossë huffed. "My lord is not forgotten! Nor am I! The king of Alqualondë, that one of the name Olwë, remembers us! He calls to my lord from the mountains, making a perilous journey! That is for being forgotten!"
Tilion regards Ossë and asks, "How, then, Ossë, do you propose we intervene?"
"Aye, Ossë, " spoke Aulë."That is true, but until this change, Olwë was here in Aman, not in Middle Earth."
Yavanna also spoke. "While I have walked among them, I still do not see the need to intervene. They have always prevailed against evil in the past. Why should they not this time? I have seen how strong and determined they can be." Ulmo listened, face intent.
Ossë crossed his arms, scowling. "Was it not the Maia Gandalf who led the fellowship? Who formed it and showed them how to fend for themselves? And without seeking glory for himself as being remembered! It is not about our powers being known! WE are not whom this was made for... It is for the children to defend this home and us to watch over them without shoving our hands in the mix!"
Nienna, Vala of Compassion, spoke then. "In the past, our attempts to 'help' have often caused worse trouble. We interfere with the Children's own destiny." Linfëa fluttered a wing in agreement. Ulmo nodded. "It was not without misgiving, that I granted Olwë's request."
Yavanna hurumphed loudly... "Exactly, Nienna."
Ossë threw up his trident. "We can be of aid, without revealing our natures. It is not for being remembered, but for their safety and survival! Let us move amongst them! Let us show them how to fight back! How to best this evil!"
"This 'evil', you say," responded Nienna. Aulë spoke. "So the songs the Teleri had composed for two ages have never been heard in Middle Earth. Now they will be there. Even if we Valar take no direct action or appearance there at all." Linfëa looked from one Valar to another, wondering how to accomplish such a task.
Tilion asked. "Are we certain that the problem arises from a servant of Morgoth, and not Morgoth himself?"
"We still do not even know what this 'evil' is," added Nienna.
Arien nodded to Ossë. "But what happens when the light of the sun is blotted out by the smoke from the fires below?"
Ossë made a face. "... Aulë, you spend too much time away from the affairs of the children. Your focus is not on the right place."
Vána then spoke. "What has been seen that portends this evil?" Melian nodded. "A good question, Lady Vána." Ossë looks around the gathering, stepping forward. Yavanna mutters under her breath about just what 'affairs' her husband has been involved in. Aulë glared at Ossë but made no reply.
Ulmo spoke. "Arien and Tilion guide their vessels across the skies. They have seen, as have I, the balrogs walking in the world. Is this not so?" Nienna spoke as well, "I, too, have heard rumors of the balrogs." Linfëa moved restlessly.
Melian spoke then. "I foresee great evil again stalking the children."
"I have seen it," said Arien. "the Arda itself puts out more flame and smoke and molten rock flows to rivers and streams, sending steam into the air, and balrogs crawl from the deep places."
Ossë set his trident down, looking about him "... who are these whom I see? Are they not Ainu? Valar and Maiar? Those very made from Ilúvatar's own mind?" Yavanna answered, "It's not a question of if we are powerless, Ossë, but where and how we should use that power."
Ossë answered hotly. "We are the very being of Ilúvatar in many parts! And we are many more than Melkor... Can we not inspire the hearts of elves and men? Can we not fight back, whatever the foe? Whatever the evil? Why do you cower here? Go forth, into the lands of middle earth!"
Yavanna lifts her head proudly to Ossë... "indeed we are." Ossë made a fist, waving it over his head "WE are NOT POWERLESS!"
Manwë spoke. "We must remember that everything we do, and all we do to help, will have consequences, for better or worse. That is why we are here to decide."
Gentle Vána spoke. "I have found .. on the far edge of my Spring garden something...." Linfëa looked toward Vána, and Yavanna asked, "What is it you have seen, sister?" "This," she answered, and before them manifested a twisted, blackened, malformed tree. Ulmo gasped. Vána trembled. Melian looked worriedly at the dark shadow cast over Vána by the tree.
Yavanna gasps.... "didn't you water it, Little Sister?" Linfëa stiffened her wings. "What could cause such a ...growth...in Vána's own garden?"
Ossë grumbled and stepped back, pacing around the perimeter. "I found it thus, " said Vána. She looked around at the gathering. "What else has been seen?"
Nienna answered her. "A travelling elf told me that dangerous creatures had been seen in the Pelori mountains."
Melian, too, spoke. "I have had prescient dreams... but they remain shadows still."
"What Ossë says is true," spoke Tilion. "once before seeing the assault upon the moon, the Valar were in doubt, fearing what the malice and cunning of Melkor might yet contrive against them. We cannot stand and do nothing at this time."
Ossë nodded. "Indeed, Tilion! My own refusal led to the slaughter of the elf kin. I will not sit idle but again." Tilion nodded sadly.
Arien gasped in horror, remembering how the golden tree was similarly withered and destroyed. "It breaks my heart to see one of my creations so ill treated. Who dares to do such a thing!" cried Yavanna.
Ulmo said, "It is also what has not been seen..the Teleri who were in Alqualondë are missing."
Nienna spoke to Ulmo. "Do tell us about that." Ulmo answered, "It is a quiet and still island in the mortal world." Vána gasped in wonder. Ulmo looks at his brother and sisters. "Olwë called to me with a pain I have never heard since the last time Melkor worked his great evil. I know not where they are."
Ossë piped up again. "This is an evil that may spread! Our lingering on the issue may cause more lives to vanish without a trace."
"We only know they are not dead, so they must be alive somewhere," said Nienna. Ulmo nodded.
Tilion spoke. "In the presence of Lord Manwë and Lady Nienna, I too heard the King of theTeleri beg for help in this cause."
Ossë slapped at an armrest, spraying water all over the near area, water that evaporates instantly ".... But where! and Why!"
"Indeed," said Nienna. Arien spoke. "I also have not seen them, so they are under some shadow or cloud or cover of darkness." Linfëa thought about some elves she saw at the edge of a distant land.
"If the Teleri roam in shadows," said Melian. "It is the duty of the Ainur to come to their aid, if only to shine a guiding light. "
Yavanna coughs a little... "Are you sure they are not missing because they have turned evil? How do you know it's not the teleri who have caused this to happen?"
Ossë spoke, "There are but two Teleri now, the Lord King Olwë and I believe some guard of his."
Vána mused,"Perhaps they are under a protection of invisibility.?"
"Would a whole race of good elves beneath a benevolent king turn evil?" asked Ossë. Ulmo nodded. "I agree. They have always honored us and Eru and keep true and steadfast."
"And so suddenly? That would make no sense," asked Nienna.
"They are a resilient and resourcesful lot. Why must we assume that we need our help, or that they have turned against all that is good?" asked Manwë. Yavanna harumpfs loudly again... "You always think everyone are such goody goodies, Manwë." Melian watched Manwë closely.
"I, for one, cannot believe they have turned away from Olwë," said Melian. Ulmo nodded thoughtfully. "They are not within reach of my seas, I would know." Nienna replied, " Your waters reach nearly all of the world."
Tilion mused. "Often I wander in the grots and caverns at the roots of Arda... coming late again to the heavens... I know them well, when I am there again, I shall search for them."
Arien felt and heard the water Ossë throws about hiss as it landed near her and evaporates: "They are still Ilúvatar's children"
Ossë asked. " Cannot Manwë, with his birds and his contact to the Ilúvatar make some guess as to their whereabouts?"
"I will watch for them from the skies, though I have not espied them yet," promised Tilion. Vána spoke. "Perhaps the trail leads through my garden." Tilion looked at Vána. "How so, Lady Vána?"
She answered. "The tree that was withered, it should not have been." Linfëa fidgeted. Ulmo turned his attention to Vána. "The darkness is large and growing, and sadly I cannot see into it as far as you might hope," spoke Manwë.
Ossë started pacing again. Yavanna spoke. "You are all missing the obvious. I could walk the world and commune with creations, the very trees and plants of the land, and discover if Teleri have passed that way.. The spirits of all things that grow would have seen them."
Vána spoke up. "The birds have told me nothing of this."
Ossë made a face. "You could have said something afore this moment." Melian loked askance at Ossë's tone of disrespect. "Ossë, you forget yourself," reproached Tilion. Ulmo whirled and glared at Ossë. "Indeed, sir." Yavanna crooks an eyebrow at the ego driven, youth obsessed watery one.... "I would have thought it was obvious, to those who have a thinking mind'
Ulmo roared at the Lord f Waves. " We are not so fallen as we turn upon each other." Arien hissed at Ossë as he steams near her. Nienna shook her head at the bickering. Ossë watched all of them, quietly, pacing, without responding to the jabs at him.
"We need more information," said Tilion. "I agree with Tilion," said Melian, and Ulmo nodded in agreement.
Yavanna mutters under her breath for a moment... "My intent is not to bicker, but to speak truth. I fear that truth has been tainted by my frustation. Every time evil is lose on the world it is my creations that must suffer. I feel so... so .. victimised."
Ossë asked, " How do you propose we get it, how?
Tilion contined, "My Lords Manwë and Ulmo, it is clear you are greatly concerned, but we need more information."
Yavanna said,"I apologize if I sound bitter. It is not my intent." Nienna looked at the Mother of the Earth with compassion. "You are a mother, Yavanna, to all your creatures." Aulë placed a hand near his beloved Yavanna. "Dear sister, what is this truth you speak of?"
Ulmo looked upon the bringer of green growing things. "I can feel your pain. The seas, too, paid a heavy price when Melkor wrought his evil."
"Perhaps, " said Tilion. 'This is not something we can resolve at this meeting."
"Does someone propose an action?" asked Melian. She looked around the assembled company. "Truly," said Nienna., " we need to know what we are facing before we can decide what to do about it."
Arien said, "It is clear that we must see if we can find the missing Teleri." Ulmo added," We must support Olwë of Alqualondë." Melian nodded in agreement with Ulmo.
Aulë spoke up. "Brothers and sisters, yes, I propose one." "Please speak, Lord Aulë," urged Tilion.
"First, despite our disagreements as to whether the presence of the Valar in Middle Earth is a good thing or not..."
"Yes! Action," responded Ossë.
Yavanna looked gratefully at her sweet husband and dear sister... "It is simply that I can help perhaps, by asking the spirits of all my living things, but none had thought to ask it."
Ossë leaned towards Yavanna, saying excitedly "And if you ask? And they are not where your things can find them? Then what must we do?"
Yavanna answered, " I am no soothsayer Ossë. I cannot tell you in advance what would happen next."
Aulë continued. "Each of us...EACH OF US... already DO have a presence in Middle Earth." Ulmo listened to Aulë, growing still. "Manwë, with your vision and birds...Ulmo with the whispering of the waters...Yavanna, with the hearts of the animals...we are already there, and each in our secret way, we are already there. We do need intelligence."
Ulmo spoke. "But, as Nienna said, we cannot interfere we once did."
"Indeed," agreed Manwë.
Ossë made a face "My lord Ulmo is not present in Middle Earth, Aulë. I am. I am in charge of that territory, along side with she who tends to rivers. We are present in Middle Earth where he is not"
Aulë laughed. "Ossë, you need to speak more openly with your master about what he does and does not do in Middle Earth, I think."
Aulë contined. "My proposal is that, rather than hiding from one another, we speak more openly of what we learn." Melian applauded Aulë's words.
Yavanna smiled sweetly .... "Dear husband, I do not believe it is our presence that is being discussed, but rather if we should 'do' more with that presence."
Vána said, "Then we must each ask in our own way...what we may ask of the Teleri."
Tilion said, "I watch from the skies by night... and Arien by day."
Melian added, "I have the gift of foresight...though it is not always controllable."
Ulmo rumbled. "I hide from no one. But I find the waters suit me more than such conclaves. But I will do the will of Eru and as Manwë guides."
Yavanna asked, "So if we are all so present, how is it that none have seen the Teleri?
Ossë shots back hotly at the Maker. "Do you imply to know my business then, Aulë, to know my duty as it is handed to me and to know my Lord, as I must know him who has not hidden in dank caves for so long without seeing him?" Ulmo thumps his staff upon the floor and roars. "Enough bickering!"
"Calm down, Ossë," added Nienna.
Aulë turned to his wife. "Well, my Lady and Queen, that is one issue among many. We need intelligence and to share it."
Ossë said, "We must do our best to find traces of the Teleri! And to get more information about this evil that is coming! Do we then propose to meet again?"
Melian whispered to Tilion, "Cousin, I can see our younger cousin has much to learn still." Tilion nods to Melian.
Manwë spoke. "Indeed, Ossy, and that is what I would ask you all to do...speak to each other, gather what information you can, and make sure it is known to all of us."
Aulë looked to Manwë. "Are we all agreed in this? that we speak to ourselves more openly thant we have done?"
YaVánan bows her head in acknowledgement of Manwë's request.... "As you ask, so shall I do."
Ulmo nodded, heeding Manwë's words. Vána spoke, "It shall be done."
Ossë set off, saying behind his shoulder "I go! I must scour every beach and cresting wave! I must commune with my sister keeper of the rivers! There is not a moment to waste!"
Ulmo, eyeing his willful and temptuous servant, turns back to Manwë. "As you say, Breath of Arda, let it be done." Linfëa visibly relaxes.
"Vána's kiss of spring upon you all and the ever promise of the dawn," whispered Vána.
Manwë smiled. "Then I would thank you all for joining me here this night."
Arien nodded. 'We will follow the way of light." Ulmo nodded obedience to the King of Arda.
"Thank you, my lord, " said Melian.
"When shall we meet again?" asked Tilion.
Aulë nods. "Lord Ossë of Seas, I wish a word with you privately of Alqaulonde." Yavanna looked at her husband. "It has been a long time since last we were alone together, beloved. If only time were to permit, but alas duty calls me back to the forests where I may seek the spirits of the trees." She sighed with regret.
"You will know soon," spoke Manwë. "I shall send word when we are ready again."
"As you command, my Lord Manwë, "replied Tilion. Ulmo bowed his head. "I look for thy message, King of Arda. The waters call to me, brothers and sisters...I would take my leave."
Aulë embraces his spouse's hand. "I am always with you and at your command, my Lady and Queen."
Yavanna timidly withdraws her wrinkled hand. "I am amazed you can force yourself to touch me at the moment husband. Taking on the form of mortals to experience their world has meant my form ages as does theirs. Nonetheless the empathy I have gained in doing so it worth it, I think." Yavanna struggles to her feet, her bones creaking in protest as she does so.
Each take their leave of the other, brother and sisters all within the Circle of Thrones, under the watchful, brooding eyes of Manwë. He watches as each take their leave, and, heaving a heavy sigh, returns once more to his throne atop the sacred mountain...searching his memory of the Song that brought all into Creation, clearing his troubled thoughts in hopes of clarity and guidance from Eru Ilúvatar.
> Next Ainur 